Standing up against crime

Richardine Johnson used to watch drug dealers cycle up and down the street in front of her home.

Two years later, more than 30 Forest Hills community members participating in the 25th annual National Night Out marched along that same street Tuesday in an effort to stand strong against crime.

Residents marched alongside a North Charleston firetruck and members of the Police Department. Thirteen Charleston-area communities planned similar National Night Out events, and North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey said it was his goal to visit several before the end of the night.

"This march tonight is to tell those undesirable elements of the neighborhood that we don't want them here," Summey said. "This shows the partnership between the police and the community."

From a stoop, Cheryl Jones watched a small crowd gather on the street. Because of health problems, she wasn't marching but said the movement sends a message encouraging neighbors to look out for one another.

North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt echoed Jones' thoughts and said community activities such as National Night Out help deter crime .

"This is key to getting neighborhoods involved," he said. "We're going to have 40 to 50 officers swinging by — still taking calls — but swinging by when they get a chance."

Zumalt said the event used to be centralized at Park Circle until two years ago when individual neighborhoods started holding their own gatherings. Not everyone marches, he said. Some communities hold cookouts and flashlight walks.

Trudy Coffey, co-president of the Forest Hills civic association, said the neighborhood has improved dramatically because of an increased police presence. She said she considered moving 10 years ago because of crime but decided to stand up for her neighborhood instead.

A few houses away, Johnson stood on her driveway to get a better look at the crowd marching toward her. "Criminals were really bold when I moved here in 2006," Johnson said. "They've gotten a lot calmer now that the officers are patrolling. There was a change in here."

Reach Chase Purdy at cpurdy@postandcourier.com or 937-5709.